April is Stress Awareness Month!
Ever feel like you’re on a short fuse? Are you getting irritated by the smallest detail? Or feel like you have a cloud over your head? Or feeling tired most of the time? These could be signs that stress is beginning to impact your life negatively. But what is stress, really? Stress is a normal physiological and psychological reaction to being put under pressure, whether it’s because of demands put on us or because we don’t have enough time or energy to do something.
Many things can cause stress. What is stressful for us and how we manage it depends on the person. An exam that is stressful and requires lots of study for one person can be a breeze for another.
Stress is a part of life. It can motivate us, help us decide what is important, and encourage us to try new things. However, too much stress can overwhelm us, creating negative feelings and harming our relationships.
When we are stressed, managing both our feelings of stress and existing demands can create even more stress! This is why it’s important to boost our resilience and take time to relax when we need to.
Resilience is how we bounce back from situations and keep our cool. How can we build our resilience?
- Reserve time each day or each week to do something you love, e.g. baking, hiking, handicrafts
- Make a list of your strengths. Be proud of your achievements, whether big or small!
- Limit time spent reading the news and scrolling through social media
- Listen to your favourite music
